Weekly Round Up: In Memory of Jody Schoger

“No man is an island … any man’s death diminishes me” wrote the poet John Donne back in 1624. I thought of these words when I heard the news of Jody Schoger’s passing on Wednesday and how diminished we all feel as a result of her death. Beth sums up my own thoughts when she writes:

Even though I knew she was in hospice, I was still stunned when I received the news that she passed away. And in that finding-out moment, I knew the world was suddenly worse off for not having Jody’s fierce passion, intelligence, kindness, and advocacy in it.

Jody’s influence in the breast cancer community was immeasurable as the tributes to her that have filled the blogosphere demonstrate. Liz Szabo, writing in USA Today, described how Jody “became a teacher, a guide and a fearless friend to countless men and women.” Jackie writes about how the breast cancer community has “lost a tireless advocate, voice of reason and fearless friend”; Alicia, Katie, Stacey, and Lizashare their own personal memories of Jody, while Gaylelovingly draws together a representation of the many tweets and memories shared on social media by Jody’s friends.

Felicity writes honestly about the PTSD she has experienced and issues a plea for more to be done for cancer survivors to save them from falling off a mental health cliff. Read a similarly-themed post by Chris.

Michaela Rosenwrites of the reality of being a caregiver to someone you love who is seriously ill.

Dee writes about the mixed emotions of cancer survivorship. As a companion piece, do read Carolyn‘s excellent post on “survivorship bias”. She is writing about her experience as a heart-attack survivor, but her words are equally relevant to cancer.

Medivizor report on a new drug formulation for the treatment of nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy.

I will leave the last word this week to Vicki, writing about Jody, who says:

Ever the picture of grace and acceptance, Jodi didn’t ask anyone to fill her shoes when she was gone, but she asked that we continue her mission — to know, love, and accept those with breast cancer of all stages and to provide them with safe haven wherever we are.

I can’t think of a more fitting legacy and one that we can all try to carry on in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

Thanks Marie for this really timely list, and also for including my “survivorship bias” post here. My condolences to all in the breast cancer community on the loss of your beloved friend, Jody.
kind regards,
C.

I am so sad about Jodi. I met her a few years ago and had the opportunity to hang out with her for a few hours. She was a wonderful person and offered so much to the breast cancer community. Thanks as usual for the inclusion.

I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend Jodi. It sounds like she left a very large imprint on many lives.
Thank you for including my post. I actually first began my ‘secret album’ when a close friend was becoming more unwell as her breast cancer had escalated. She had three young children and mine were all very young at the time too. I used to call to her once or twice a day and one day we spoke of how many magic moments happen each day which we miss. So we decided to begin taking imaginary photos of such moments. Then when we’d meet we’d share them.
Until I wrote this post I’d never told anyone about it or what she and I had shared. She was very much in my heart when I wrote this post.

". . .and the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and JOYFUL, by which we arrive at the ground at our own feet, and learn to be at home."
Wendell Berry